What’s the benefit of registering with the Emergency Ride Home program? If you use your bicycle or another form of alternative transportation–such as the Monterey-Salinas Transit system (MST bus)–even one day a week, you can get reimbursed for taxi or rental car fee of up to $60 if a family emergency occurs (e.g., illness or crisis) or if you are asked to work late (unexpected overtime required by employer).

One example of locals who bike to work—or bus, carpool, vanpool, or walk, rather than driving alone—are the Monterey Bay Aquarium employees participating in the Tunnel Jumpers program.

The Coast Guard veteran below bikes to work year-round to his job at the Monterey Post Office, biking from his home in Marina.

When he was spotted in May 2014, ready to head off after the workday, there was clearly no question: he is very enthused about his chosen commute method!

Below is a sampling of more Monterey County bike-to-work commuters—and that story about the winemaker too!

When I visited Light & Motion in Marina on April 11, 2014, the number of bike-to-work employees outnumbered the cars in the parking lot—I saw only three cars in their lot that day. Clearly L&M’s staffers tend to bike their talk! It’s a thoughtful amenity that L&M provides indoor bicycle parking.

The guy below? He bikes to work at Ryan Ranch. No doubt he generally arrives a lot happier than people who’ve had to struggle with traffic to get there on time. Besides, no gas costs for him, no parking problems either. He can tell you that for many people, bike commuting is not a sacrifice, it’s a pleasure!

Mindy Surratt and her husband Tim Meehan are both bike-to-work commuters, and bike their kids to school too. That’s why their cargo bikes are often loaded down!

Jan Valencia — shown below in one of his many bike advocacy volunteer gigs, the Seaside PAL Bike Fair and giving input to a traffic engineer—is a resident of Seaside and the owner of Cycle Stop Honda on Abbott Street, Salinas. Jan regularly bikes to work.

Bike-to-Work Winemaker

Heller Organic Estate Vineyards, Carmel Valley

Rich Tanguay has often biked to work, getting his endorphins pumping as he commutes to his job in beautiful Carmel Valley. On arrival, he makes luscious wines from organically grown grapes. No wonder Rich is recognized as one happy winemaker!

Bike through picturesque Carmel Valley to their tasting room. On Thursdays, they will reward you with a complimentary tasting in addition to their HER Helmet Thursdays discount on all wine sales. Check out their HHT listing.

If you can’t bike all the way to Heller’s tasting room from your starting point, use a bike-and-ride option, such as the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) Grapevine Express!

Learn more about Rich and Heller

Heller was honored June 6, 2011 as the 27th Assembly District’s Small Business of the Year!

Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Carmel) selected Heller, as the Salinas Californian reported, “because of its long term commitment to making environmentally friendly wines and to creating a safe work environment.” Heller has also reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the use of fossil fuels in its farming practices and by using plant-based biodiesel fuel.

Congratulations to vineyard owners Gilbert and Toby Heller and their entire crew!

Also check out Heller’s presence at Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

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Want to invite another favorite winery to join Heller in creating a special wine trail by participating in HER Helmet Thursdays? Click here.

About Bicycling Monterey

In 2009, to encourage biking and other earth-friendly actions, Bicycling Monterey was founded by volunteer Mari Lynch. Curious why the root URL for most posts and pages is marilynch.com/blog? Click here. >

Bicycling Monterey is an award-winning grassroots effort, and successes are due to the involvement of many people. Click here to see who's helped. >